Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG)
campaign, and Uyaiedu Ikpe-Etim, a feminist film-maker, have been named among
the BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential women around the world for the year
2020.
Yesufu was a prominent promoter of the protest against
police brutality that rocked Nigeria in October 2020.
Ikpe-Etim, on the other hand, is a director and LGBTQ
activist who has committed herself to creating stories about marginalised
groups in Nigeria.
Her new film, entitled “Ife”, delved into the world of lesbianism and its
representation in Nollywood.
In an interview with CNN earlier in the year, Ikpe-Etim said
she is tackling the subject head-on “to create space for queer characters in
the country’s prolific movie industry”.
According to the BBC 100 women, this year’s list highlights
those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent
times.
“This year’s list includes Sanna Marin, who leads Finland’s
all-female coalition government, Michelle Yeoh, star of the new Avatar and
Marvel films and Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a
coronavirus vaccine, as well as Jane Fonda, a climate activist and actress,” it
said.
“And in an extraordinary year – when countless women around
the world have made sacrifices to help others – one name on the 100 Women list
has been left blank as a tribute.”
Some other women on the list are Sarah Al-Amiri, UAE’s
minister of advanced technologies; Patrisse Cullors, human rights activist from
the US; Jeong Eun-Kyeong, South Korea KDCA commissioner.
How the women are
chosen
The BBC’s 100 Women team said it drew up a shortlist based
on names gathered s by them and suggested by the BBC’s network of World Service
languages teams.
It also said it looked for candidates who have made the
headlines or influenced important stories over the past 12 months, as well as
those who have inspiring stories to tell, achieved something significant or
influenced their societies in ways that will not necessarily make the news.
It said, thereafter, the pool of names was then assessed
against this year’s theme — women who led change — and measured for regional
representation and due impartiality, before the final names were chosen.
Commenting on the honour, Yesufu said: It is an honour and a
humbling experience to be amongst the BBC 100 women. My fellow Nigerians, this
is for you! I AM BECAUSE WE ARE! One day we will have a Nation where lives
matter and the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody.”
It is an honour and a humbling experience to be amongst @BBC100women. My fellow Nigerians, this is for you! I AM BECAUSE WE ARE!
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) November 25, 2020
One day we will have a Nation where lives matter and the child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. https://t.co/TJ7FJLmwdV
Ikpe-Etim expressed her joy for being on the list, saying: “This is definitely the year of the queers. In spite of all the hate, we all just stayed winning. Totally here for it! Invite me to all the queer end of the year parties, we deserve to party!”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayLook who is on BBC's 100 Women of 2020. 😭😭😭💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾https://t.co/vqedavHu7b pic.twitter.com/05XGZ9Y7O7
— Asang edem🏳️🌈 (@Uyaiedu) November 24, 2020
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